Ralph Sees Hampton and the Scaur explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Home and Wandering

  Ralph and Ursula's journey to the Scaur and their anticipation of returning to Higham and Bourton Abbas highlight the tension between wandering and the longing for home.

• Power and Tyranny

  The memory of the cruel 'she-bear' who tormented Ursula and the oppressive atmosphere of the Scaur illustrate past tyranny, now replaced by a new order.

• Sacrifice and Loss

  The Lady of Abundance's death and the Champions' grief underscore the theme of loss, while Ralph's oath implies future sacrifice.

Characters to notice

• Ralph of Upmeads

  Leads Ursula into the Scaur's hall, swears an oath to the Dry Tree, and accepts the gift of the Scaur and Hampton.

• Ursula

  Recalls her past suffering at the Scaur, trembles with fear but regains composure, and sits in the high-seat looking like an image of early summer.

• Richard the Red

  Starts at the sound of the horn and half draws his sword, but is calmed by the Sage.

• Roger

  Describes the fate of the 'she-bear' and the Lady of Abundance's arrival, mutters darkly, and leads the oath-taking.

• The Sage of Swevenham

  Calms Richard when the horn sounds, advising to let the edges lie quiet.

• Stephen a-Hurst

  Affirms Ralph's oath as well and knightly sworn.

• The Lady of Abundance

  Recalled by Roger as having entered the hall barefoot and blessed it; her memory influences the Champions' loyalty to Ralph.

Key passages

• “May God bless this House and the abode of the valiant, and the shelter of the hapless.”

  May God bless this hall, home of the brave and refuge for the unfortunate.

  Roger recounts the Lady of Abundance's blessing upon entering the hall.

• “I swear that whensoever the Captain of the Dry Tree calleth on me, whether I be eating or drinking, abed or standing on my feet, at peace or at war, glad or sorry, I shall do my utmost to come to his aid straightway with whatso force I may gather.”

  I swear that whenever the Captain of the Dry Tree summons me, no matter what I am doing, I will come to his aid immediately with all the force I can muster.

  Ralph swears his oath of allegiance to the Dry Tree.

• “It is somewhat like to me, as when one gets up from bed in the dead night, when all is quiet and the moon is shining, and goes out of the chamber into the hall, and coming back, almost dreads to see some horror lying in one's place amid the familiar bedclothes.”

  It feels to me like getting up in the dead of night, walking into the hall, and then fearing to find something horrible in your bed when you return.

  Ursula describes her dread of entering the Scaur's hall.